Sahelian Times

29/05/2026

🔴 “𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐨” — 𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐣𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐨

Former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has responded sharply to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, saying the former governor should not forget that he was once his political ally, declaring: “You were once my boy too.”

The exchange follows renewed political tension between the two Kano power blocs ahead of the 2027 election cycle, as both figures continue to shape rival political structures and influence loyal supporters across the state.

Ganduje’s comment was seen as a direct rebuttal to Kwankwaso’s long-standing claim of political superiority over former associates, with the remark reigniting a rivalry that has defined Kano politics for over a decade.

Kwankwaso and Ganduje have a long shared political history, having served together in Kano State government, where Ganduje was once Kwankwaso’s deputy before succeeding him as governor in 2015 after a tightly contested electoral cycle.

Since then, both men have remained at the centre of opposing political camps in Kano, frequently exchanging public criticisms and political jabs as they mobilise support for their respective alliances ahead of national elections.

The latest exchange reflects deeper fractures within Kano’s political elite, where loyalty, mentorship and succession politics continue to shape rival blocs, with both leaders still commanding significant grassroots followings across the state.

29/05/2026

🔴 “𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞” — 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐲𝐨 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨

A newly released video allegedly showing abducted Oyo State school principal, Mrs Alamu, has triggered fresh nationwide concern after she emotionally appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for urgent intervention while still in captivity alongside teachers and students.

In the viral clip circulating online, Mrs Alamu said the victims had been “exposed to the sun and rain for weeks,” describing worsening conditions inside the kidnappers’ camp. She further suggested that the abductors were becoming increasingly impatient, heightening fears over the safety and wellbeing of those still being held.

The emotional footage has sparked widespread sympathy and outrage across social media, with many Nigerians demanding intensified rescue operations and stronger security measures to address the growing wave of school-related kidnappings and attacks affecting families, teachers and children across different parts of the country.

29/05/2026

🟠 Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a fierce attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the administration’s third anniversary address, accusing the government of masking economic hardship and insecurity with “propaganda and false hope.”

Reacting to Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast on Thursday, Atiku said ordinary Nigerians were not experiencing the recovery and progress claimed by the President, arguing that worsening inflation, unemployment and insecurity continue to define daily life across the country.

“Your tenure of propaganda is coming to an end,” Atiku declared, insisting that millions of citizens remain trapped in poverty despite repeated government assurances that economic reforms are beginning to yield results.

The former presidential candidate also criticised Tinubu’s handling of fuel subsidy removal and exchange-rate reforms, saying the policies have deepened hardship without producing meaningful relief for struggling households and businesses.

Atiku further accused the administration of disconnecting from public realities, arguing that rising food prices, transport costs and insecurity contradict official narratives about stability and national recovery. He maintained that Nigerians deserve “competent and compassionate leadership” capable of rebuilding trust and restoring economic confidence.

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a fresh attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declaring that the administration’s “era of propaganda” was gradually coming to an end as Nigerians continue to grapple with economic hardship and insecurity. Atiku, in a statement released on Frid...

29/05/2026

🔴 𝐖𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐣𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has threatened to revoke plots of land and properties belonging to individuals, companies and hotel operators in Abuja over alleged failure to pay ground rent and other statutory charges.

Wike issued the warning during a media briefing in Abuja, where he accused several property owners of ignoring repeated payment notices despite benefiting from government infrastructure and services within the capital city.

According to the minister, the FCT Administration is losing significant revenue due to widespread non-compliance by landowners and commercial property operators, particularly hotels and high-value businesses operating within strategic districts of Abuja.

He insisted that the administration would no longer tolerate violations of land regulations, warning that any affected property could face revocation if owners fail to settle outstanding obligations within the specified period.

In recent months, the former Rivers State governor has repeatedly taken aggressive measures against illegal structures, land allocation irregularities and unpaid property obligations, moves that have generated both praise and criticism among residents and political observers.

29/05/2026

🔴 𝐍𝐁𝐒 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐬 ₦𝟏,𝟓𝟑𝟐 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥

The average retail price of petrol rose to ₦1,532.93 per litre in April 2026, according to new figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), deepening pressure on households and transport operators nationwide.

The NBS said the figure represents a major increase compared to the same period in 2025, reflecting the continued impact of fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange instability and rising distribution costs across Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.

Across several states, Nigerians continue to grapple with soaring transportation fares, increased food prices and rising business costs linked directly to fuel expenses, with many commercial drivers and small business owners describing the situation as economically exhausting.

The report comes just days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu defended his administration’s economic reforms during his third anniversary address, insisting that the painful policies were necessary to prevent fiscal collapse and reposition the economy for long-term recovery.

Despite government assurances of improving economic stability, public frustration over living costs remains widespread, especially as wages struggle to keep pace with inflation and energy-related expenses.

29/05/2026

🟠 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria has entered a phase of recovery, insisting that the country has “turned the corner” after three years of difficult economic reforms marked by subsidy removal, currency adjustments and rising living costs.

In his third anniversary address on Thursday, May 29, 2026, Tinubu said his administration met a nation burdened by “mounting fiscal pressures, unsustainable fuel subsidies and declining revenues,” adding that urgent action was unavoidable to prevent economic collapse.

He defended the removal of fuel subsidy, stating that Nigeria once spent about ₦18.4 billion daily on the scheme, while forex distortions had cost the country over ₦8 trillion. “We chose reform over ruin,” the President said, adding that delaying reforms would have worsened poverty and instability.

Acknowledging public hardship, Tinubu said the reforms had placed “enormous pressure on families, workers and businesses,” but insisted that the sacrifices were yielding results. “The walk through the dark tunnel is over, and the light is here,” he declared.

The President highlighted major economic indicators, including a surge in the stock market from ₦30 trillion in 2023 to about ₦160 trillion in 2026, alongside rising investor confidence and increased government revenue available to states and local governments.

Despite ongoing insecurity challenges, the President said security agencies were recording gains against terrorists, bandits and kidnappers, and reaffirmed that his government would not relent until “every Nigerian can live, work, travel and dream in safety.”

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President Tinubu says Nigeria stabilising as reforms begin to yield results after three years in office President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday defended his administration’s economic reforms and declared that Nigeria was gradually recovering from years of fiscal and structural challenges, as he ma...

29/05/2026

🔴 𝐏𝐃𝐏 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞

The Interim National Working Committee (INWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to formally ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election during a special national convention scheduled for Friday, May 29, 2026.

The move comes days after a Federal High Court reportedly cleared Jonathan to contest the presidency again, reigniting national debate over his political return nearly 11 years after leaving office in 2015.

The faction, led by former Minister of Special Duties Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, had earlier granted Jonathan a waiver to participate in the party’s presidential process despite not taking part in earlier screening exercises. Party leaders argued that the former president remains a unifying figure capable of rebuilding the opposition ahead of 2027.

Jonathan’s possible return has already triggered intense political reactions across party lines, especially as opposition camps continue major coalition talks involving Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso and other influential political blocs preparing for the next general election.

The development also deepens the internal fragmentation within the PDP, where competing factions are battling for legitimacy, leadership control and strategic direction following months of defections, parallel congresses and disagreements over coalition politics.

29/05/2026

🔴 𝐍𝐃𝐂 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦 𝐎𝐛𝐢 𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭

Delegates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) are expected to formally affirm former Anambra State governor Peter Obi as the party’s presidential candidate today, Friday, May 29, 2026, as the opposition platform concludes its nationwide primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.

Obi emerged as the party’s sole presidential aspirant after weeks of political realignments involving major opposition figures and coalition negotiations across the country. The exercise is expected to hold simultaneously with governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly primaries in several states.

In a joint statement, NDC National Chairman Senator Moses Cleopas and National Secretary Barrister Ikenna Alex-Morgan Enekweizu said the primaries were shifted to Friday due to Eid-el-Kabir logistics and transportation challenges. They added that Obi’s presidential ratification would be conducted through affirmation by delegates nationwide.

Party officials also warned that no state chapter or local committee has authority to independently announce results, insisting that all outcomes would be processed centrally by the National Working Committee before official confirmation at the national headquarters.

Obi’s expected affirmation comes as several parties race to conclude their primaries before the Independent National Electoral Commission deadline.

29/05/2026

🔴 “𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐧” — 𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐛𝐮 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐜𝐡, 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday defended the economic reforms introduced by his administration, insisting Nigeria has now “stabilised” after years of fiscal pressure, subsidy dependence and economic uncertainty. The President spoke during his third anniversary address marking May 29, 2026.

Tinubu acknowledged the hardship triggered by fuel subsidy removal and exchange-rate reforms, saying families and businesses faced “enormous pressure” over the past three years. However, he argued that the decisions prevented a deeper national crisis. “We chose reform over ruin and decisiveness over hesitation,” he stated.

According to the President, Nigeria previously spent as much as ₦18.4 billion daily on fuel subsidy, while forex distortions allegedly drained over ₦8 trillion through speculative practices. “Had we refused to act, our nation would have drifted toward fiscal breakdown,” Tinubu said.

Despite widespread public frustration over inflation and rising living costs, Tinubu maintained that the reforms are beginning to produce visible results. “Your sacrifice has not been in vain,” he declared, adding that investor confidence is returning and public finances are gradually improving.

The President highlighted major infrastructure projects under construction across the country, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway and Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road. He said over 2,700 kilometres of highways are currently being constructed, rehabilitated or expanded nationwide.

Tinubu also pointed to gains in housing, education, telecommunications and energy. He said more than 1.5 million students have benefited from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, while local refining projects and telecom investments are helping reduce dependence on imports and expand digital access.

On security, the President admitted challenges remain in parts of the country despite intensified military operations against terrorists, kidnappers and bandits. “This government will not relent until every Nigerian can live, work, travel and dream in safety,” he assured.

Closing the address, Tinubu urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the country despite economic hardship and political tension. “History tests nations before it elevates them,” he said. “I believe with all my heart that we shall emerge stronger, fairer, more united and more prosperous than ever before.”

29/05/2026

🔴 𝐊𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐆𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐳𝐨, 𝐆𝐚𝐰𝐮𝐧𝐚 𝐚𝐬 𝐍𝐃𝐂 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐨 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕

Leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has announced plans for the formal unveiling of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidates in Kano State, including governorship, senatorial and presidential hopefuls ahead of the 2027 elections.

Kwankwaso made the announcement during a gathering with senior Kwankwasiyya leaders and stakeholders in Kano on Thursday, where he confirmed that the official presentation of candidates would hold on Friday, May 29, 2026. He described the move as a major step in consolidating the movement’s political structure within the NDC.

During the address, Kwankwaso formally identified former Deputy Governor of Kano State, Dr Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, as the NDC’s senatorial candidate for Kano Central, while Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo was unveiled as the movement’s preferred governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

He called on Kwankwasiyya supporters, especially youths and political stakeholders across Kano, to mobilise massively for the unveiling ceremony and rally behind all NDC candidates from the State Assembly level up to the presidential contest.

Kwankwaso also reaffirmed support for former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, stating that Obi would not only be confirmed as the party’s presidential candidate in Kano but across Nigeria as a whole, further strengthening speculation of a deepening political alliance between both camps ahead of 2027.

28/05/2026

🔴 The Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, has dismissed viral reports claiming the President converted from Islam, describing the allegation as false and misleading amid growing social media speculation over Tinubu’s religious identity.

Olusegun reacted to the controversy in a statement posted Thursday on X, where he urged Nigerians to ignore a circulating video alleging that the President had abandoned Islam. “Please disregard the video circulating claiming PBAT has converted. It is a lie,” he wrote.

According to the presidential aide, Tinubu has consistently practised Islam throughout his public and private life while also openly supporting the Christian faith of his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who is a pastor. He said the President’s household represents interfaith harmony rather than religious conflict or conversion.

“President Tinubu has always been a Muslim, while proudly supporting his wife, who is a Pastor. This unique interfaith harmony in his own home is what he brings to national leadership, which is unity and not conversion,” Olusegun stated.

The clarification followed widespread circulation of a social media video that triggered intense debate online, with users questioning the President’s religious status and motives. The claims quickly spread across political and religious discussion spaces before the Presidency responded publicly.

The latest controversy again highlights the growing influence of misinformation and emotionally charged religious narratives within Nigeria’s political environment, especially as the country gradually enters a tense pre-2027 atmosphere where social media rumours increasingly shape public debate and political perception.

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The Presidency has dismissed viral claims suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu converted from Islam, describing the reports as false and misleading. The Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, made the clarification in a statement shared on X on Thursday amid gro....